Continuous Accessible Path of Travel

This is a good example of a Continuous Accessible Path of Travel. It is well defined and all obstacles are placed off the pathway.

This is a example of problems caused by not maintaining a continuous assessable path of travel along the building line as the man with the cane is forced to negotiate around the tables and chairs blocking the footpath.

This is an example of an unclear continuous assessable path of travel as the crates, drinks and A-frame signs are hazards and obstacles for people with vision impairment.

“I have often found that it is near impossible to get anywhere if there are obstacles placed strategically in your way. Most of the time, shopping centres are guilty of this as they try to keep up with the fashion and have tables outside the cafes. Although I like to sit outside on a nice day and eat my lunch, I also like to be able to walk past the shops without taking most of their tables with me on my way. There is nothing more frustrating than to not be able to just walk without killing yourself or, ripping your shins off on some shop's glass tables and chairs as you walk by.”

- Guide Dogs Client

What is a continuous accessible path of travel?

The Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission defines a continuous accessible path of travel as an uninterrupted route to or within premises or buildings and providing access to all services and facilities. It should not incorporate any step, stairway, turnstile, revolving door, escalator, hazard or other impediment which would prevent it from being safely negotiated by people with disabilities.

For example, a suitable path in a shopping area should be adjacent to the shop fronts and not to the kerb, avoiding hazards such as parking signs and parked cars hanging over the kerb.

High contrasts are also recommended for the path, using both luminance and textural contrasts.

The new Building Code of Australia and Australian Standard 1428.1 outline specifics on the need for, and location of, continuous accessible paths of travel. The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission “Advisory Notes on Access to Premises” provide additional specifications. Please refer to these authorities for more specific requirements.

A continuous accessible path of travel for people with impaired vision would:

be relatively straight,
preferably follow the building line to give easy access to premises and allow easy identification of a shopping areas entry points and types of premises
follow either the kerb or fence line in other areas but not swap between both on a regular basis
be free of obstructions (eg. street furniture, A-frame signs and other types of signs placed on the footpath.
be free of hazards such as overhanging obstacles and pedestal obstacles e.g. telephone booths.
have all street furniture set back from the boundary of the path -
be at least 1200mm wide. Importantly, this is a minimum width, and wider paths are highly recommended. It is preferred that the path be a minimum of 1800mm wide.

Why do Guide Dogs NSW/ACT recommend a continuous accessible path of travel?

Obstacles placed on the footpath, for example, tables and chairs, clothes stands and signs can pose a serious threat to a person with impaired vision. When a person with impaired vision is walking down the street, it can be extremely frustrating and dangerous to run into obstructions continuously. An accessible path of travel makes moving around much easier and safer.